The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1887-11-23
Sunday Services.


Father Murphy preached one of his powerful
sermons last Sunday. Taking for his text
why stand ye here all the day idle?' he endea-
vored to convince US that the words of the text
had an individual application to each and every
one of US; that we each had life work to Go, a
destiny to fulfill. 1t seems strange that so few
years this earth should have so great an infiu-
ence through all eternity. God. in His infinite
wisdom, did not create US for naught. 1t would
be foolish to suppose that He would create moral
and rational beirg, endow him with free will, and
destine him to perish the grass wthereth and
dieth. We have the power within US, by the help
OF the Savior. to work out own salvation. If
God were tyrant. if he required things from us
that were beyond our strength the thought of our
accountability would be terrible. But knowing
of surety that e cd loves and cares for us, and
that he knows cur ever weakness. and that if we
ask for it. that He will give strength to resist
every temptation, then the thought of our
accountability should only be an incentive to a
holy lfe--a life filed with works for God. We
must labor for God if expect to enjoy the bless
ings of rest. 1t is our labor that makes rest
sweet. without labor life is without peace or
hope.
The world not made for itself 1t is the
scene of the battle between the good and the
bad, between purity and sin, between righteous
ness and wckedness. Under VIII CHI banner are
you arrayed? We are now called, this day, this
hour, this moment; our time has come to live; it
is our time to- enter the field of battle. Shall We
be found faithful? EehOld the witnesses to our
strife, fight the noble fight Of virtue acqut your
selves as men BE strong in this great contest.
Gods word not only reminds us of our work here,
but Of allotted tine. Some think it necessary
to show their religious belief only at stated
sons, such Christmas and Easter; others at
still greater distances. Some think that if they
make their peace with God at the last moment
that t Will suffice. Thus it is that man may
repent at the eleventh hour and be saved. Yet
we know not the hour when shall be called.
Work while tits day. Tor the even cometh when no
man can work The way that God wants US to do,
the way that christians ought to do, is to labor daily
in Gods service. DO not wait for opportunities
-mat them. Not an hour of life has God
resigned. from early morn to close of day. In the
morning of youth, when the flowers in their
first breh. bloom. how sweet the incense of wOr-
ship ascends ON high, and yet now at tn s moment,
whether young or adv; need in wears; whether a
sin-hardened criminal or IA novice in crime. the
son give me thine heart pray you yield to
that loving voice. Ee bold and resOlute for the
right in t he conflict of life. Then when the noon
of life is pa IT, and the shadows lengthing and
you are approaching your eternal home, if you
have been true to your faith. true to your con-
science. true to God, you sink to rest with
the assurance that when you appear before your
God that you will be greeted with a well done.
good and faithful servants enter into the G DRY of
the Lord Men, if we calmly view our lifewOrk.
have we not cause for great alarm? "Why stand
we here idle?' Idle is the word. Is not this a
crime, that we idlers and triners in religion!
What have we been in our past life? What loss
Of time. what loss of opportunities! what devot on
to pleasures. What dong redeem the
past? Are we dilgent in prayer? Are watch
full over our tempter? Are we strong to overcome
the habits of sin? why stand ye here all the ~
ide?' Time is going time that has richly sane
tilted others is lost to YOU never to return. The
future is uncertain. How much time remIinS is
unknown. We realize not what we are doing
when neelecting the grace which God offers us
now. We cannot claim that no man has hired IS.
That is clearly and Enthusiastically shown We
are bought with a price; are heirs of heaven
that during minority must serve t. inherit
it. Prepare for that time. Go work in the vine
yards; make no more delays. Work while tits yet
day, for God approacheth 10 give the laborers
their hire. So live now that you may be account
ed among the ia ithful and elect.
New Deal All Round.